Perth tradie drank carton of beer then broke into house and brutally assaulted ex-girlfriend

By William On May 23, 2023

A tradie who subjected his ex-girlfriend to ‘very serious’, ‘terrifying’ beatings after drinking a pack of beer has been sentenced to more than four years in prison.

Contractor Mitchell Caspar Marsden, 29, broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home in Nollamara, just north of Perth’s CBD, before attacking her and her male friend in June 2021.

Marsden was furious because he thought his ex was cheating on him – despite being told the relationship was over – and wanted to “get” her, the WA court heard.

He climbed into an open window and went into a bedroom where he ripped off the covers and attacked his ex’s male friend.

After they both left the room, Marsden began filming and berating the other man.

Earthmoving contractor Mitchell Caspar Marsden (pictured) broke into a home in the middle of the night and assaulted his ex-girlfriend and her male friend in June 2021

Footage of the assault played out in court showed the man covered in blood and naked except for a shirt, begging Marsden to stop.

When he asked if he could take his pants, Marsden said, “No. Get the f*** out,’ the court heard.

Marsden pushed the man out of the house and then walked back to the bedroom where he again ripped the covers off the bed and yelled “One f****** night.” Look at that. Look at the camera,” at his ex as he filmed her.

He then hit, headbutted and spat on his terrified ex, stopping her from leaving the house.

The court was told Marsden yelled insults at the victim, saying, “You’re a dumb, ugly slut, a dumb, spastic frog, you’re overweight and you’ll never be happy.”

What Judge David MacLean said at the sentencing of Mitchell Caspar Marsden

‘There is a compelling public interest in imposing a prison sentence in this case.

‘And this is it, Mr Marsden: people need to feel safe in their own homes. People need to feel safe to end unhappy relationships.

“People who choose to ignore those social restrictions by insulting in a way like you did should expect to receive a significant immediate prison sentence, not only for punishing you, but for the community’s revulsion for these kinds of insults.” and for the courts to do what they can to indicate that this is a serious crime, it will not be tolerated and if it does occur a hefty prison sentence will be imposed.’

The tradie also destroyed the woman’s phone and two televisions and armed himself with a kitchen knife.

Marsden also threatened to send intimate images of the woman to her father and post them on Facebook, the Perth court heard.

When his ex finally escaped to her car, Marsden chased after her and smashed one of the windows.

A local resident who heard what was going on called the police. When they arrived, Marsden said his ex stopped him from leaving the house and headbutted him.

He tried to convince the woman not to press charges against him, which was an attempt to intimidate her, Judge David MacLean said.

The judge said Marsden’s crimes were “very serious” and told him that his ex’s text messages made it clear that their relationship was over and that the woman had the right to have any relationship she wanted.

Marsden’s lawyer, Paul Holmes, said his client went to the house because he thought his ex was cheating and “wanted to catch her.”

Judge MacLean said Marsden belittled and humiliated his ex-partner’s boyfriend in a terrifying attack.

“The fact that you recorded the exchange is consistent with the fact that you did this to have another tool and device to intimidate and control your ex-partner,” he said.

“Your behavior was frightening. You threatened your ex-partner, you spat on her and physically assaulted her…

Her vulnerability was also increased by the time you chose to go there.

“The fact that she was sleeping in the bed and your entry into the house was absolutely unexpected.”

Judge MacLean addressed Marsden and also referred to “a number of text communications between yourself and the victim on the day prior to the crime.”

“It is absolutely clear from reading those messages that you were not welcome to be there.

“And you were told in no uncertain detail that the relationship was over.”

The judge said arming Marsden with a knife was also an aggravating factor in the case.

Marsden was furious because he thought his ex was cheating on him – despite being told the relationship was over – and wanted to ‘get’ her, Perth District Court heard (pictured)

“People should feel safe in their own homes. People need to feel safe to end unhappy relationships,” the judge said.

“People who choose to ignore those social restrictions by insulting in a way like you did face significant immediate jail time.”

In sentencing Marsden to four years and four months in prison, the judge took into account his early admission of guilt, that he had shown some remorse and had had a traumatic childhood.

With his sentence backdated to December 2022, Marsden will be eligible for parole in April 2025.